Alton



P. W. DALTON. Clasp for Handling Hogs,

Patented Sept; 10, 135

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IMPROVEMENT IN CHAIN-CLASP FOB. HANDLING HUGS IN SLAUGHTERING.

Bilge Sdgshnle attach to in tlgtst itetttts than and making wt at flgt time.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that L P. W. DALTON, of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Chain-Clasp; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to a new and improved device for securing and holding hogs inthe process of slaughtering the same; and it consists in a slotted plate and key, to which a chain is attached, as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 represents an edge view of the article, with the key inserted in the plate as when attached to the leg of a hog. I

Figure 2 is a side view of the same, showing the slotted plate, and with the chain attached and the key inserted.

Similar letters of reference indicate-corresponding parts.

In thcproeess of slaughtering hogs by my method, a man enters the pen with these clasps at hand, and with hoisting-blocks and hooks suspended from above. One of the clasps is passed around the hind leg of a hog, and the smaller ring, which is attached to the plate, is passed over one of the hoisting-hooks, when the hog is immediately hanlcd up until his'head clears the floor, when the larger ring is passed over another hock, which is suspended from a wheel which runs in a groove in a stationary track, by which the hog is carried along and stuck as he passes to the scalding-tub. When hcreaches the tub, the key of the clasp, is turned, so that the clasp releases'the leg and the hog drops into the tab. 3 i

A is the plate, which is made of steel or other suitable metal. 13 is the key. C is the chain, which is attached to end of the plate A at one end, and to the key at the other end. Where the ehainis attached to the plate it will be noticed that there is a small slot, 0. This is to give the chain play, so that the key can be readily turned.- D represents the slot in the plate. This is made long, so as to accommodate hogs or legs of all sizes. f is the smaller ring, and g the large ring before mentioned. These rings are both attached to the plate by another ring, it, as seen in the drawing.

In large slaughtering establishments, where thousands of hogs are slaughtered, daily, every labor-sailing device is valuable. The use of my clasp-chain notonlysaves very much labor, and greatly facilitates the process, but the body of the hog is kept thereby from becoming smeared with blood and filth, besides bleeding much more freely when in the position indicated than in any other position. When the hog is slaughterrd by first knocking him down before sticking, as is usual, a. portion of the head is spoiled by the settling of the blood, which difficulty is entirely avoided by the use of my chain-clasp. i

Ilaying thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- The slotted plate A, the key 13, the rings jg, and the chain G, constructed and arranged substantially as herein shown and described, for the purpose specified.

The above specification of my invention signed by me thisltith day of July, 1867.

i I. W. DALTON.

Witnesses:

WM, F. McNAMAnA, ALEX. F. Ronnn'rs. 

